Chennai: It was a pious beginning to the New Year for devotees at the Arulmigu Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peetam, Melmaruvathur.
Special kalasa vilakku velvi pooja and cultural programmes were conducted as part of the function.
The peetam was decorated with colourful flowers and lights. The two-day celebrations started with traditional music festival at 3 am 31 December. Special abishekam was performed for the Amman by 4 am.
The president of Adhiparasakthi Anmika Iyakkam, Lakshmi Bangaru Adigalar, commenced the function with kalasa pooja and participated in cultural programmes held by 8 pm on the Siddhar Peeta Om Sakthi stage.
Thousands of devotees who gathered on the premises welcomed the New Year by raising together the slogan – ‘Om Sakthi Parasakti’. Grand aradhana was performed for Amman by 12 midnight and sweets were distributed.
By 10.45 am, devotees also performed paadha pooja for Guru Adigalar and annadhanam was started by joint president of the Iyakkam, Sridevi Ramesh.
Prominent personalities like the Mayor of Bengaluru Corporation, Gangambika Mallikarjun took part in the event.
Adigalar provided 11 laptops, 21 electrical repairing machines, 21 nebulisers, 23 drilling machines, 9 fertiliser spray machines, 50 almirahs, a bus and 2 autos to Adhiparasakthi Hospital, Rs 12 lakh to Bangalore Jayadev Hospital, Rs 5 lakh to Sri Sankara Cancer Institute and Rs 3 lakh to Adhiparasakthi Annai Illam, totally worth Rs 70 lakh.
He also launched a book about Siddha treatment and the first copies were received by Lakshmi Bangaru Adigalar and Sridevi Ramesh.